#RevolutionNow: Release Sowore Now, Court Threatens DSS DG

A Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, threatened to jail the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, for the continued detention of the convener of the revolution now movement, Omoyele Sowore.
The Federal High Court, had last Tuesday, ordered the immediate release of Sowore.
In a notice addressed to Bichi and dated September 26, the court berated the DSS DG for not releasing Sowore despite an order to do so.
The judge, Taiwo Taiwo, said there was no subsisting order keeping him in detention.
But the DSS is yet to comply with the order.
Owing to the non-compliance, Femi Falana, Sowore’s counsel, went to court seeking the execution of the order.
The court noted in a notice that the failure of the DSS to release Sowore will amount to contempt of court.
The notice entitled, ‘Notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court’ read: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court of Justice Abuja delivered on September 24, 2019, which ordered you to release the applicant in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/915/2019 forthwith, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.
“This court has been informed that even as at today, Thursday the 26th of September, you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the Federal High Court by refusing to release the applicant namely: Omoyele Sowore, in your custody.
“You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.”
Sowore was arrested August 3 for convening a nationwide protest, themed #RevolutionNow.
The convener of #RevolutionNow protest and former presidential candidate, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, had yesterday, commenced a contempt suit against the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi, for allegedly disobeying the order granting him bail.
The judge had dismissed DSS’ objection in granting him bail with the sole condition that he deposit his passport in the registry of the court.
Sowore, through his lawyers, submitted his passport to a Deputy Chief Registrar of the court on Wednesday.
The legal team also filed an affidavit of compliance with the order of the court and had same served on the DSS.
But 24 hours after meeting the bail condition, the DSS had yet to release him.
The publisher of Sahara Reporters, through his lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), yesterday, filed a ‘Notice of consequence of court order’ which is to be served on the DSS warning him that he could be jailed for continuing to violate the court order.
“Notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court of Justice, Abuja delivered on September 21, 2019, which ordered you to release the applicant in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/915/2019 forthwith, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This court has been informed that even as at today, Thursday, September 26, 2019, you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the Federal High Court by refusing to release the applicant namely: OMOYELE SOWORE, in your custody. You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.”